This bill proposes the elimination of the high school graduation proficiency test in New Jersey, which is currently mandated for 11th-grade students. The legislation prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring satisfactory performance on any statewide proficiency test as part of the graduation standards. It amends existing laws to remove references to the proficiency test, including its inclusion in graduation requirements, the necessity for out-of-school youth or adults to pass the test for a State endorsed diploma, and the requirement for school district report cards to include test results. Additionally, it clarifies that participation in the State Seal of Biliteracy program does not necessitate taking the proficiency test.

The bill also repeals sections of law that mandate the administration of the proficiency test to 11th and certain 12th-grade students, as well as provisions requiring the Commissioner of Education to consult with various stakeholders in developing the test. The sponsor argues that standardized testing does not accurately reflect student learning or readiness for college and careers, citing studies that show other metrics, such as GPA, are more predictive of college success. The bill aims to align graduation requirements with more effective measures of student achievement and readiness.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7C-1, 18A:7C-2, 18A:7C-4, 18A:7C-15, 18A:7E-3, 18A:36C-10